Today's weather reminds me that we are in the middle of cyclocross season, when hard core riders embrace the changing weather and get dirty.
Cyclocross racing has been described as mountain bike racing on road bikes but it is much more complicated than that. The bikes usually have narrow knobby tires, cantilever brakes and frames with more clearance for wider tires and mud.
The sport actually came into its own long before mountain bikes were invented. One account says cyclocross started in France at the end of the 19th century by a soldier who rode his bicycle over the rough terrain and obstacles to maintain fitness during the winter months.
The races consist of multiple laps over a short course for a specified period of time. The course is usually a mix of grass fields, dirt roads, sand, some mud or stream crossings and several forced dismounts.
Because of the demands of jumping on and off the bike and racing all-out over varied terrain for 30-60 minutes, cyclocross is great sport for aerobic fitness.
The short course format also makes it a great spectator sport. Over the next couple of weekends there several opportunities to check out the action.
This weekend Mid-Atlantic Cross series continues with Granogue Cross near Newark, Delaware. On October 24, the fifth race in the MAMBRA Cross series, DCCX takes place in Washington at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
If you need any more inspiration to try cyclocross, check out the beautifully shot photo essay online at Bicycling Magazine.
Photos from last month's Charm City Cross in Druid Hill Park. Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun